Games with Notable Installers

NOTE: This page is still under construction, there are more games to be added.

During the 1990s and early 2000s, PC game installers evolved from simple functional utilities into an integral part of the "out-of-box" experience. As personal computers gained advanced multimedia capabilities, developers began utilizing the installation window as a creative canvas to immerse players before the first frame of gameplay even appeared. The shift toward elaborate installers was driven by the technical limitations of early optical media. Compared to the near-instantaneous access of console cartridges, early CD-ROM drives (typically 1x to 4x speeds) featured slow transfer rates and significant seek delays.

System Type	Media Role	Component	Transfer Rate	Access Time
PC (Full Installation Model)	Source	CD-ROM (~4x)	~600 KB/s	150ms–200ms
Destination	1990s HDD (IDE)	~5–10 MB/s	10ms–15ms

PC (Direct Access and Minimal Install)	Hybrid	CD-ROM + RAM	~150–600 KB/s	200ms+ (Constant Seek)

Classic Console (Pre-5th Gen)	Direct Access	Cartridge	High-speed bus	<1ms (Solid State)
32-Bit Console (PS1/Saturn)	Direct Access	CD-ROM (2x)	~300 KB/s	200ms+ (Mechanical)

Many Windows 9x-era titles offered Direct Access or Minimal Installation options. These allowed games to run primarily from the CD-ROM, caching only essential configuration files or save data to the hard drive (often <100MB). While this spared users from the "installation ritual," it introduced the "CD-ROM bottleneck": gameplay was frequently interrupted by mechanical seek times as the drive head jumped between data tracks and Red Book audio, leading to the iconic "stutter and spin-up" sounds of 90s PC gaming. For Full Installation model, the CD-ROM had to copy several hundred megabytes of data to the hard drive—often involving decompression—the user was forced into a long wait. To mitigate the frustration of staring at a static progress bar during lengthy decompressions and hardware configurations, developers transformed the wait into an "event." This era marked a transition from text-based DOS prompts (Diskette-based) to high-production setups on Windows (Disc-based). The prominence of bespoke installers began to wane with the rise of standardized middleware like InstallShield and the eventual shift toward digital distribution. The complexity of these installers sometimes led to compatibility issues, especially as operating systems evolved. Modern high-speed internet and background downloading via platforms like Steam rendered the "installation ritual" obsolete. However, the "fancy installer" remains a point of cultural nostalgia. Modern indie titles often pay homage to this era by including retro-styled setup wizards or interactive launchers, preserving a period where even a progress bar was an opportunity for world-building.

Notable Characteristics

Animated Sequences: Many games employed animated intros or sequences with sound effects or music during installation to establish the game's atmosphere. For instance, Age of Empires featured a dynamic village scene where workers constructed buildings as the installation progressed, culminating in the creation of a wonder of the world, complete with sound effects like hammering.
Interactive Elements: To keep users engaged during installation, some games included interactive components such as puzzles or mini-games. Broken Sword offered a Breakout-style arcade game, while The Sims 2 provided a trivia quiz and a matching icons game, making the wait entertaining.
Thematic Consistency: Installers often reflected the game's aesthetic or theme, ensuring a cohesive experience. Baldur’s Gate utilized a granite-themed launcher that complemented its fantasy setting, and Diablo greeted players with a demonic laugh, foreshadowing the game's dark narrative.
Hardware Testing and Configuration: Certain installers, like that of Broken Sword, incorporated system tests to verify compatibility and optimize performance. Others, such as Wolfenstein 3D, required users to select sound card options, highlighting the hardware variability of the era.

List

Cover	Title	Description	Screenshot
	Command & Conquer series	Renowned for narrative-driven installers. Command & Conquer: Red Alert 2 featured an immersive setup with a seal extraction team, an oath of loyalty, a timed CD key entry, and a military intelligence briefing, concluding with a quote from Kane.
	Worms Armageddon	Incorporated a humorous sequence where worms exploded as files were copied, mirroring the game's playful and destructive theme.
	Worms United	Its installer featured a grenade, a camo laptop, and pixelated worms detonating themselves, aligning with the game’s humorous and chaotic tone.
	Age of Empires	Displayed an animated village scene with workers performing tasks and constructing buildings, accompanied by sound effects, ultimately building a wonder of the world as installation completed.
	Broken Sword	Utilized a sophisticated installer that emulated the game's interface, featuring a voice over guide, system speed test, puzzle-like interface, and a Breakout arcade game during file copying.
	The Sims 2	Offered mini-games, including a trivia quiz about the game and a matching icons game, to entertain users during the multi-disc installation process.
	Diablo	Welcomed players with a demonic laugh upon disc insertion, setting the stage for the game's sinister ambiance.
	Baldur’s Gate	Featured a launcher with a granite aesthetic, aligning with the game's fantasy theme, and was distributed with five discs in a fold-out case.
	Knights of Honor	Included a background photo and music, likely from the game's soundtrack, enhancing the installation atmosphere.
	Mechwarrior 4 series	Presented a slideshow of the game's backstory during installation, immersing players in the narrative.
	Warzone 2100	Featured a slideshow of the game's backstory during the installation process.
	Star Trek: Elite Force	Remembered for its nostalgic install wizard, contributing to the overall setup experience.
	Nox	The installer introduced the game’s storyline, offering a narrative-driven experience that immersed players in the game’s world during installation.
	Dungeons & Dragons: Dragonshard
	Witchaven 2
	Lands of Lore: Guardians of Destiny
	Rise of Legends
	Sanitarium
	Grand Theft Auto
	Freelancher
	The Legend of Heroes VI: Trails in the Sky
	Crimson Skies
	Midtown Madness Chicago Edition